Acts 4 17

Acts 4:17 kjv

But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

Acts 4:17 nkjv

But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name."

Acts 4:17 niv

But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name."

Acts 4:17 esv

But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name."

Acts 4:17 nlt

But to keep them from spreading their propaganda any further, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in Jesus' name again."

Acts 4 verses

Acts 4 17 Meaning

Acts 4:17 conveys the Sanhedrin's strategic decision to prevent the further spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Having witnessed an undeniable miracle and hearing the bold proclamation of the apostles, the religious authorities, primarily the Sadducees, decided to issue a stern warning and absolute prohibition against speaking, teaching, or performing miracles "in this name" (referring to Jesus) to anyone. Their motivation was to control the narrative, maintain their authority, and prevent public uprising or widespread belief in Jesus, whom they had rejected and crucified. This verse marks their deliberate attempt to silence the apostles and suppress the emerging Christian movement through intimidation.

Acts 4 17 Context

Acts 4:17 takes place immediately after Peter and John's healing of a lame man at the Temple gate (Acts 3) and Peter's subsequent sermon explaining the miracle as an act of power in the name of Jesus Christ, the crucified and resurrected Messiah. This event drew a large crowd, alarming the Jewish religious leaders—specifically the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees (who denied the resurrection). They arrested Peter and John, bringing them before the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court. In their interrogation, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly reasserted that the miracle was by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The Sanhedrin was in a difficult position; they could not deny the miracle's validity, as the healed man, now over forty years old, was widely known. Faced with an undeniable sign and the apostles' unwavering testimony, the Sanhedrin's immediate concern was to prevent this new teaching, especially about resurrection, from further unsettling the populace and potentially leading to a broader messianic movement that could incur Roman wrath and threaten their own authority and power structure. Thus, their internal consultation concluded with the decision expressed in verse 17: to employ intimidation and issue a strict prohibition to silence the apostles.

Acts 4 17 Word analysis

• But that: This conjunction introduces the council's preventative action, a direct response to their predicament—the undeniable miracle and the growing public stir. It signifies their calculated step to address the situation.
• it spread no further: "It" refers to the message of Jesus, the healing performed in His name, and the burgeoning belief in Him. The Sanhedrin feared the uncontrolled dissemination (Greek: διανεμηθῇ, dianemēthē) of this influence among the populace. Their primary concern was containing the movement, viewing it as a potential spiritual and social contagion that threatened their religious and political equilibrium.
• among the people: (Greek: εἰς τὸν λαόν, eis ton laon). This specifies their concern was primarily about the common people's acceptance of Jesus. The general public often showed openness to Jesus and His miracles, contrasting with the often skeptical and entrenched religious elite who guarded their power and interpretation of the Law. The authorities aimed to limit its reach to prevent mass conversion or unrest.
• let us straitly threaten them: (Greek: ἀπειλῇ ἀπειλησώμεθα, apeilē apeilēsōmetha). This is a strong and emphatic expression, translating to "let us threaten with a threat" or "let us sternly warn them." It signifies a formal, deliberate, and severe act of intimidation. This dative of means ("with a threat") coupled with the verb "to threaten" intensifies the declaration, highlighting the high degree of resolution and severity behind their intention. It's an official decree of prohibition, backed by their authority and implied consequences.
• that they speak henceforth: (Greek: μηκέτι λαλεῖν, mēketi lalein). The term "henceforth" (μηκέτι, mēketi) means "no longer," emphasizing the absolute and immediate cessation of all proclamation. The command targets all forms of verbal communication, not just preaching but even general conversation concerning Jesus.
• to no man: (Greek: μηδενί, mēdeni). This is an absolute prohibition, not to anyone. Their aim was total suppression and complete silence regarding the "Name," reflecting the desperation of their attempt to extinguish the message entirely.
• in this name: (Greek: ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι τούτῳ, epi tō onomati toutō). The Greek term for "name" (ὄνομα, onoma) in this context carries profound significance beyond a mere label. It encapsulates the person, authority, power, character, identity, and mission of Jesus Christ. To act or speak "in this name" implies acting by His authority, drawing upon His power, and representing His very being. The Sanhedrin understood the miraculous power and the evangelistic impact associated with uttering the "Name" of Jesus, hence their focus on its prohibition. This phrase serves as the nexus of their fear, as it is the very essence of Christ's authority and salvific work that threatens their traditional power structure.

• "But that it spread no further among the people": This phrase succinctly states the Sanhedrin's primary motive: to prevent the burgeoning Jesus movement from gaining further popular momentum. It reveals their strategic mindset—controlling information flow and public perception—which superseded any genuine interest in the spiritual truth or the well-being of the healed man. It demonstrates a fear-based response to a divine demonstration, rather than one seeking truth.
• "let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name": This entire clause encapsulates the Sanhedrin's decision and the specific method of enforcement. It signifies their official decree to suppress the message through severe intimidation. This decision to legally compel silence, particularly regarding "this Name," underscores the radical nature of the early Christian message and the powerful threat it posed to existing religious institutions and their entrenched beliefs, especially the resurrection of Christ.

Acts 4 17 Bonus section

• The Sanhedrin's immediate recognition that "it spread no further among the people" (Acts 4:17) directly reflects their awareness of their limited control over popular sentiment, a consistent challenge they faced regarding Jesus during His earthly ministry.
• The term "straitly threaten" (ἀπειλῇ ἀπειλησώμεθα) implies not just a warning but an underlying potential for greater penalties if the apostles disobeyed, hinting at imprisonment or even death, though not explicitly stated at this point.
• This verse encapsulates a crucial turning point in the early church: the transition from quiet growth to direct, government-sanctioned opposition. It necessitated the apostles to make a clear choice between human and divine authority, directly setting up the foundational principle stated in Acts 5:29.
• The emphasis on "this Name" (Jesus Christ) shows the theological essence of the conflict: the absolute distinction and unique authority of Jesus, which clashed with the religious leaders' rejection of Him as the Messiah and their adherence to traditional Jewish leadership.

Acts 4 17 Commentary

Acts 4:17 records the Sanhedrin's desperate attempt to stem the flow of the burgeoning Christian message after being confronted with undeniable proof of God's power through the apostles. Incapable of refuting the miraculous healing or Peter's Spirit-empowered testimony concerning Jesus' resurrection and supreme authority, they chose the path of intimidation rather than investigation or acceptance. Their command to "straitly threaten them" to "speak henceforth to no man in this name" reveals their ultimate goal: to eradicate the influence of Jesus' identity, authority, and power. This illustrates the inherent conflict between human religious structures that prioritize tradition and control, and God's sovereign will to proclaim the transformative truth of His Son. While the authorities sought to suppress "the Name" (Jesus), this act paradoxically underscored the very power of that Name, which they acknowledged by their fear and fierce opposition. This early act of religious persecution sets the stage for the apostles' consistent defiance, prioritizing divine obedience over human command, affirming that God's Word cannot be bound.